The essays in Powerful Arguments reconstruct the standards of validity underlying argumentative practices in a wide array of late imperial Chinese discourses, from the Song through the Qing dynasties. The fourteen case studies analyze concrete arguments defended or contested in areas ranging from historiography, philosophy, law, and religion to natural studies, literature, and the civil examination system. By examining uses of evidence, habits of inference, and the criteria by which some arguments were judged to be more persuasive than others, the contributions recreate distinct cultures of reasoning. Together, they lay the foundations for a history of argumentative practice in one of the richest scholarly traditions outside of Europe and add a chapter to the as yet elusive global history of rationality.

Does the existence of evil call into doubt the existence of God? Show me the argument. Philosophy starts with questions, but attempts at answers are just as important, and these answers require reasoned argument. Cutting through dense philosophical prose, 100 famous and influential arguments are presented in their essence, with premises, conclusions and logical form plainly identified. Key quotations provide a sense of style and approach. Just the Arguments is an invaluable one-stop argument shop. A concise, formally structured summation of 100 of the most important arguments in Western philosophy The first book of its kind to present the most important and influential philosophical arguments in a clear premise/conclusion format, the language that philosophers use and students are expected to know Offers succinct expositions of key philosophical arguments without bogging them down in commentary Translates difficult texts to core arguments Designed to provides a quick and compact reference to everything from Aquinas’ “Five Ways” to prove the existence of God, to the metaphysical possibilities of a zombie world

How to win an argument is a LIFE SKILL. Unfortunately, schools don't teach it. An average man everyday finds himself in at least 5-10 situations where he is in some disagreement with another. Thus, this requires him to have the essential life skill of arguing successfully to get his point heard, to get his opinion or perception understood, and to get his view implemented. Knowing how to argue successfully can be the difference between success and failure.In this book, you will learn?How to identify the various types/ structures of arguments and to counter them effectively?How to use different argument techniques in different situations?How not to get trapped by another person who is using a particular argument technique to his advantage?How to win arguments without losing friends and relatives ?Common mistakes and fallacies which people make while forwarding their argumentsWhat are you waiting for? Transform your life by learning this most critical life skill and succeed beyond imagination.

A timely and accessible guide to 100 of the most infamous logical fallacies in Western philosophy, helping readers avoid and detect false assumptions and faulty reasoning You’ll love this book or you’ll hate it. So, you’re either with us or against us. And if you’re against us then you hate books. No true intellectual would hate this book. Ever decide to avoid a restaurant because of one bad meal? Choose a product because a celebrity endorsed it? Or ignore what a politician says because she’s not a member of your party? For as long as people have been discussing, conversing, persuading, advocating, proselytizing, pontificating, or otherwise stating their case, their arguments have been vulnerable to false assumptions and faulty reasoning. Drawing upon a long history of logical falsehoods and philosophical flubs, Bad Arguments demonstrates how misguided arguments come to be, and what we can do to detect them in the rhetoric of others and avoid using them ourselves. Fallacies—or conclusions that don’t follow from their premise—are at the root of most bad arguments, but it can be easy to stumble into a fallacy without realizing it. In this clear and concise guide to good arguments gone bad, Robert Arp, Steven Barbone, and Michael Bruce take readers through 100 of the most infamous fallacies in Western philosophy, identifying the most common missteps, pitfalls, and dead-ends of arguments gone awry. Whether an instance of sunk costs, is ought, affirming the consequent, moving the goal post, begging the question, or the ever-popular slippery slope, each fallacy engages with examples drawn from contemporary politics, economics, media, and popular culture. Further diagrams and tables supplement entries and contextualize common errors in logical reasoning. At a time in our world when it is crucial to be able to identify and challenge rhetorical half-truths, this bookhelps readers to better understand flawed argumentation and develop logical literacy. Unrivaled in its breadth of coverage and a worthy companion to its sister volume Just the Arguments (2011), Bad Arguments is an essential tool for undergraduate students and general readers looking to hone their critical thinking and rhetorical skills.

If you're in a troubled marriage, divorce might seem like a reasonable option. But in most cases, it's a calamity. Shows like Bravo's Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce and HBO's Divorce normalize the dissolution of marriage, making couples feel that divorce can be a happy new beginning. Celebrities suggest a norm that divorce is not only acceptable but advisable. Gwyneth Paltrow's "conscious uncoupling" makes divorce seem trendy and enlightened. Today, couples are even throwing "divorce parties"—complete with invitations and caterers! Enough, says psychologist Diane Medved. If you're hurtling down the road to divorce, the first thing to do is to put on the brakes. Don't let your spouse, your friends, or the "divorce industry" rush you into ending your marriage. Take a deep breath and read this book. Drawing on three decades of clinical and personal experience, Dr. Medved will show why you should save—and revitalize—your marriage. She expertly unmasks the threats to marriage, including hookup apps that promise non-committal sex, and legions of professionals who are financially invested in your divorce. She punctures one-by-one the arguments in favor of divorce, proving that "the good divorce" is a myth. Don't Divorce is the antidote to a pro-divorce culture, the tool that will empower you to revive a dying marriage and recover the happiness that seems out of reach.

A noted attorney gives detailed instructions on winning arguments, emphasizing such points as learning to speak with the body, avoiding being blinding by brilliance, and recognizing the power of words as a weapon.

Uniquely bringing together three different texts, Runciman (Trinity College, U. of Cambridge, UK) elucidates the problems with arguments in Plato's Republic, Hobbes's Leviathan, and Marx's Communist Manifesto, although they are viewed as great books. He focuses on passages that relate to ways to achieve and sustain harmony and order in human societies, and the mistakes they make in their arguments in similar areas. There is no index.